Medical Examiner

The Office of the Medical Examiner is mandated under state statute to investigate certain types of death. These deaths include sudden and unexpected deaths, accidental deaths and violent deaths. The Medical Examiner has the authority under Public Act 181, P.A. 1953, as amended and the Michigan Public Health Code, Act 368, P.A. 1978, to order an autopsy to determine or confirm the cause and manner of death.

Medical Examiner Investigators have been appointed to be responsible for gathering of information, taking charge of a deceased person and arrange for transport to a morgue facility for further postmortem examination as necessary.

The Office of the Medical Examiner is responsible for the identification of a deceased person and notification to the next of kin of the death, unless such notification has been made by an officer from the state police, county sheriff or municipal police department. The Office of the Medical Examiner is responsible for the issuance of death certificates for all deaths within the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner. Cremation permits must also be authorized and issued by the Office of the Medical Examiner.

The Office of the Medical Examiner is located on the campus of University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Normal business hours of the Office of the Medical Examiner are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The phone number for the office is 517-548-4170. The fax number is 734-615-8811. Applications for cremation permits may be submitted by fax.

Any person may report a death by calling the Livingston County Emergency Dispatch Center by dialing 9-1-1. A Medical Examiner Investigator will be notified to investigate reported deaths.

To obtain a cremation permit, we can assist you by working with the funeral home of your choice.